Immortality Martial Arts: I Started with the Five Animals Health Fist Chapter 5 - 3 Official Forging Master! Brewing Body Strengthening Soup!_1

Name: Su Changkong (13 years old)

Lifespan: 50 years

Potential Points: 6 points

Martial Arts Mastery: Five Animal Frolics (3rd realm Complete Understanding 1%)

Mastered Skills: Forging (Beginner's Path 95%)

A full five years had been added to Su Changkong's lifespan as he reviewed his attributes panel!

His potential points had also seen a surge, increasing by two to reach a total of 6! This was undoubtedly a massive advancement!

"Furthermore... my physical state has progressed significantly, placing me at the very peak of what an ordinary human can achieve."

Su Changkong's physique had grown incredibly robust now that he had mastered the Five Animal Frolics to the level of Complete Understanding.

Whoosh!

A faint gust of wind followed Su Changkong's experimental punch, delivered at a speed nearly invisible to the eye.

Pant!

With a slight bend of his knees, Su Changkong launched himself from a standstill. His frame took flight, soaring nearly two meters into the air before he touched back down!

When running, he possessed the agility of a leopard or tiger, capable of covering a hundred meters in a mere ten seconds!

As a health-preserving fist technique practiced over many years, the Five Animal Frolics can ward off all ailments and enhance the body. In just one year—aided by his rapid growth phase—Su Changkong's cultivation of the Five Animal Frolics brought him to the pinnacle of human capacity. He could now rival the professional athletes of his previous life in every physical metric.

"If my training continues at this pace... I wonder how far I can go. Will I eventually be able to stand alongside true martial artists?"

This question weighed on Su Changkong's mind.

The Great Flame Empire was a land of constant unrest, plagued by border conflicts and rumors of hidden, malevolent demon monsters. Martial artists occupied a high social status; the strongest among them were said to possess superhuman power, capable of defeating a hundred enemies alone!

Though Su Changkong lacked formal martial arts training, the Five Animal Frolics had built a powerful Foundation for him. Whenever he acquired the funds to seek formal instruction, his previous efforts would surely make his future Cultivation twice as easy!

"The workday is starting; I need to eat." The familiar ringing of the bell prompted Su Changkong to begin his daily routine without delay.

"My progress with the Five Animal Frolics... it has started to stall."

To Su Changkong's frustration, his advancement had slowed to a crawl once he reached the Complete Understanding realm.

Despite his potential points being 6—six times his starting value—it now took two or three days of cultivation just to gain 1% progress. The higher his level went, the more difficult the path became.

At this rate, it would be over a year before Su Changkong could achieve another breakthrough in the Five Animal Frolics!

"My body has hit a bottleneck, making any further gains incredibly difficult." Su Changkong realized the cause of the stagnation.

When the physical form reaches its limit, simply maintaining one's condition without regressing is a feat in itself, let alone improving. This was the wall Su Changkong had hit.

"I'll need to visit Clearwater City soon to get the ingredients for Body Strengthening Powder; I hope it helps..."

Su Changkong pulled out a slip of paper—a medicinal recipe left to him by Dr. Huashan. The resulting Body Strengthening Powder was reputed to have incredible effects on one's constitution.

However, it was expensive. A single dose cost between two and three hundred copper coins, which was equal to Su Changkong's entire monthly wage.

Remaining calm, Su Changkong made his way to the smithy to begin another day of labor.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Standing before the heat of the furnace, Su Changkong bared his muscular torso and swung his hammer with rhythmic precision. He struck the steel repeatedly, alternating between folding and hammering the metal.

Previously, a thousand strikes would leave him too drained to lift his arms. Now, possessing a peak human physique, he could switch hands and deliver three to four thousand blows a day with ease.

His forging efficiency had skyrocketed! He had produced nearly ten weapons in the span of four months—a staggering rate of production!

His proficiency in Forging was also nearing the Beginner's Path realm!

...

"Manor Lord, I ask you to inspect this blade."

Inside a chamber at Black Iron Manor, Yang Chao spoke with respect as he presented a shining longsword to a sturdy, middle-aged man.

This man was Mo Tie, the Lord of Black Iron Manor.

Mo Tie examined the sword with a critical eye. After a long silence, his eyes brightened. "It has been folded and forged over twenty times. The edge is sharp without being brittle, and the quenching is perfect. This is high-quality work. Who made it?"

With his expert experience, Mo Tie could see that this sword met the rigorous quality standards of Black Iron Manor!

"It was Su Changkong," Yang Chao replied.

"Su Changkong? Didn't he just start his formal apprenticeship a few months ago?" Mo Tie was visibly stunned.

It usually took a smith two or three years to produce a weapon of this caliber, yet Su Changkong had achieved it in only four months?

"Indeed. I noticed a month ago that his swords were already nearing this standard. He is intelligent, diligent, and incredibly efficient—a true talent!" Yang Chao added, nodding with genuine praise.

Between his superior physical strength, high work ethic, and increased potential, Su Changkong's ability to learn was so profound that he had mastered quality forging in a fraction of the usual time!

"Hmm... he is a rare talent. Promote him to an official smith and grant him the associated perks." Mo Tie thought for a moment before giving the order to Yang Chao.

"Understood! I'll go tell him immediately!" Yang Chao smiled, pleased with the decision.

Hardworking and bright individuals are always liked, especially since Su Changkong had learned the craft from Yang Chao himself. Su Changkong's success reflected well on him as a mentor!

"I... I've been promoted to an official smith?"

Su Changkong was energized when Yang Chao delivered the news.

"That's right. Official smiths are paid by the piece. You'll earn one tael of silver for every weapon that passes inspection!"

Yang Chao explained with a grin.

In this era of conflict, swords and blades were in high demand. Black Iron Manor's reputation for quality meant their products sold for high prices near Clearwater City, allowing them to pay their skilled smiths very well.

A single tael of silver for one standard weapon was the going rate.

"If I increase my pace, I could forge two weapons a month—that's two taels of silver!"

Su Changkong's eyes gleamed. As an apprentice, he earned only two hundred copper coins; this promotion increased his income tenfold, placing him among the high earners of the common folk!

It had taken Su Changkong a full year of frugal living at Black Iron Manor to save just two taels of silver.

Now that he had a steady income, he could afford the herbs for the Body Strengthening Soup.

"Tomorrow is my day off; I'll head to Clearwater City to buy the ingredients and try the recipe!"

Su Changkong decided with excitement.

Black Iron Manor granted one day of rest per week. When the next morning arrived, Su Changkong set out.

The trek to Clearwater City was roughly thirty to forty miles. A round trip on foot would take about ten hours without stopping.

Thanks to his Five Animal Frolics training, Su Changkong possessed the stamina to maintain a brisk pace.

Clearwater City, located in the Big Wind Prefecture of the Great Flame Empire, was a vibrant hub for merchants and travelers.

Leaving at dawn, Su Changkong reached the city gates by midday.

Once inside, he treated himself to a bowl of knife-shaved noodles for three copper coins, eating every bit. After finishing, he asked for directions to the local apothecaries.

The components for the Body Strengthening Soup were common enough, but the price was steep.

He spent one tael of silver—half of his total savings—on enough ingredients for five batches. The expense stung.

"Once I start earning more, I won't have to worry about every copper," Su Changkong told himself.

With the herbs secured, he hurried back toward the Manor. Clearwater's inns were too pricey for him, and he wanted to be back behind the Manor's walls before the dangers of the night emerged.

The return journey was uneventful, and he arrived by dusk.

"One fen of Silver Fruit Grass, two fen of Red Leaf Flower... grind to powder and simmer for one hour."

Using a small scale, Su Changkong carefully measured the ingredients according to the recipe. He ground them down and placed them in a small cauldron to boil.

An hour later, the mixture bubbled, releasing a bitter, medicinal aroma.

Lifting the lid, Su Changkong stared at the pungent black liquid. It looked exactly like traditional medicine—this was the Body Strengthening Soup.